Through an online platform, Panamanian cargo agents and exporters will be able to communicate directly with their counterparts in Southeast Asian nations.

The agreement signed between the Association of Freight Agents in Panama (APAC) and representatives from HIVE, the Highly Interconnected and Vibrant e-Trade platform will connect the former with cargo agents from countries in the Association of Southeast Asia (ASEAN) and throughout Asia.

Negotiations have started to incorporate El Salvador into the Customs Union that is already functioning, albeit partially and with some setbacks, between Guatemala and Honduras.

Internal taxes, customs procedures, migration, tariffs and sanitary and phytosanitary permits are some of the issues to be addressed in the first round of negotiations between the Salvadoran government and its Guatemalan and Honduran counterparts.

Through an agreement signed between both governments the goal is to facilitate conditions for increasing trade between the two countries.

The Nicaraguan government announced that on August 21 they will receive Suriname's first public-private mission, which will visit the country to exchange experiences and start exploring business opportunities.

Between 2011 and 2015 investment by Mexican companies grew by 112% and bilateral trade increased by 41% in the same period, going from $1,042 million to $1,471 million.

In 2011 investment made by Mexican companies in Nicaragua totaled just over $115 million, while in 2015, that figure exceeded $244 million, according to figures from ProNicaragua.Industry, telecommunications and commerce are the three major sectors that received the most Mexican investment in 2015.

About $200 million is the estimated investment made by Mexican companies in the first three months of this year, and it is projected that at the end of the year this figure will reach $600 million.

Estimates made by the Honduran-Mexican Chamber of Commerce place the investments primarily in"... technology, installation of wire harnesses and construction of 200 meters of quay which is being developed by Grupo Logra from Mexico in Puerto Cortes, among others."

It is estimated that in 2015 illicit trade and customs fraud added up to $2.2 billion, equivalent to 3.5% of GDP.

Cereals, animals, meat and meat products, bakery products, sugar, macaroni and noodles, dairy, alcoholic beverages and textiles topped the list of products most affected by illegal trade, according to a study by ASIES.

According to Moody's Costa Rica is one of the economies that could be affected significantly if after the presidential elections the U.S. decides to restrict its international trade policy.

From a press release by Moody´s:

New York, September 22, 2016 -- Mexico (A3 negative) and Costa Rica (Ba1 negative) are among the most exposed economies in the Americas, if the US (Aaa stable) were to shift toward a retrenchment from trade and investment ties after the November presidential elections, according to a report by Moody's Investors Service. Canada is less exposed since it does not benefit from the low labor costs that incentivized the offshoring of manufacturing operations.

The value of exports amounted to 554.0 billion, with a reduction in value of 17.5 percent compared to the same quarter in 2015. Meanwhile fob imports amounted to 1331.5 million dollars with a growth of 4.1 percent year on year. In regards to cif imports, they reached 1435.3 million (2.7% growth). Non - oil imports grew by 6.5 percent year on year, led by consumer goods, specifically medical and pharmaceutical products and telecommunications equipment.

They argue that joining the bloc offers growth potential for commercial partners who to date represent only 4% of total exports.

Enrique Egloff, president of the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica provided support for this with figures which show that in 2015 Costa Rica's exports to the countries in the Pacific Alliance totaled $377 million and imports $1.786 billion. These amounts accounted for 4% of total exports and 12% of total imports. Of those exports, 97% are industrial goods, and for imports 95% are.

A delegation from the state of Missouri will be in the country from March 2nd to 5th March seeking trade and investment opportunities.

From the article by Misssourinet.com: "A delegation of Missouri officials is leaving tomorrow for a trade mission to Panama. Governor Jay Nixon is leading the group that will focus on growing exports and attracting additional foreign investment in Missouri."

An agreement between business associations aims to improve the exchange of trade and investment between the two countries.

From a statement issued by the Association of Industrialists in Puerto Rico (AIPR):

The Association of Industrialists of Puerto Rico (AIPR) and the Costa Rica-Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (CCCR-PR) have established a mutual cooperation agreement with the aim of promoting trade, investment, trade and other cooperation economic benefits for their respective members and economic development in both countries, said Carlos Rivera Velez, president of the AIPR.

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